Lymph problems

Hi Lulabell 

I’m sorry to read of your issues when you were doing so well, it must be so frustrating. I’ve not got any experience or advice to help you out I’m afraid, as I haven’t suffered from this but I know Beth2 has a lot of experience with lymphoedema so I’m hoping she will see this and might be able to tell you her story. Things may be different in Italy of course, and I’m assuming Beth is in the UK, but she may be able to help with some advice for you.

I really hope you get this resolved.

Sarah xx

Hi Lulabell

As Sarah mentioned I have lymphoedema: (swelling) in my right leg/foot as a result of my cc treatment in 2017. I'm so sorry to hear about your episodes of lymphangitis (? similar/related to 'cellulitis'). I've not experienced lymphangitis but I'm aware it's painful, debilitating and something to try and avoid.

Not long after my treatment I developed swelling the top of one thigh and my GP referred me to a lymphoedema clinic where a diagnosis of lymphoedema was confirmed. Hopefully you can access some specialist lymphoedema care in Italy? The medical profession is notoriously poor at diagnosing and treating lymphoedema; there is help out there but you may have to self advocate to get it.

Lymphoedema is incureable and needs managing to stabilise, or possibly reduce, the swelling and to prevent lymphangitis. The so called four cornestones of management of lymphoedema are: compression, skin care, healthy lifestyle (healthy diet/body weight and regular exercise) plus a specialised massage technique, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) or self lymphatic drainage (SLD)

I have a compression stocking which I wear from when I get up to when I go to bed. It's important that compression garments fit well to effectively prevent swelling from getting worse, which in turn helps to reduce the risk of lymphangitis. Ideally they should be measured and prescribed by a lymphoedema specialist.

One of the first things I was taught was the importance of skin care (daily moisturising with a parabens and perfume free skin cream). Cracks in the skin, which may not obvious, means that bacteria can easily enter and cause infection (lymphangitis) which is more likely in lymphoedema because the affected area is immunocompromised. By moisturising regularly, skin integrity is maintained and bacteria can't enter so easily. Where possible avoid injury to the affected area and treat any cuts, bites etc with antiseptic and cover if there's an open wound. I recommend the following video for further information:

www.google.com/search

A couple of organisations which provide reliable information and support for lymphoedema are: the Lymphoedema Support |Network (LSN) and Lymphoedema United. They are UK based but but much of the advice is useful for all:

https://www.lymphoedema.org/

https://lymphoedemaunited.com/

You may also be interested to know there is lady with lymphoedema, who I believe is Italian, on Instagram: @stile_compresso

Sorry if all the above is a bit overwhelming to hear. I felt very daunted at first but, with time and experience, managing my lymphoedema is fairly second nature now.

I'm happy to try snd help if you have any questions.

Hi Beth2,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I'm sorry I haven't answered until now. This is all very useful. As you say, it's a lot to take in but I am making changes and hoping not to have another episode of lymphangitis. I'm wearing medical compression tights from morning to night, going swimming as much as possible and eating an anti inflammatory diet. In Italy you have to go private to get specialsit medical care, so I'm looking into that as I will definitely have a consultation to check it all out. 

At the moment I'm doing fine, and every morning I wake up without a fever I take as a good day to get on with my life, which I find a great way to look at things!

Lots of love Beth2 and big hug,

Lulabell 

Hi Lulabell again

Just a thought: it's possible that if you didn't have enough of the correct antibiotics for your lymphangitis some residual bacteria may have remained only to present as a recurrence of infection a short time later.  In the UK it is recommended that a minimum of 2 weeks of flucloxacillin (if suitable) is prescribed for cellulitis in lymphoedema - ?possibly same applies to lymphangitis:

www.lymphoedema.org/.../management_cellulitis.pdf